What is an Arborist?

An Arborist specializes in planting, transplanting, pruning and diagnosing the ailments of trees and other plants. 
 

Why you need an Arborist?

Trees and hard woody plants grown for ornamental purposes are assets in the beauty and environmental balance of any landscape, whether it's a corporate headquarters, a resort, a private residence, or city hall. Aboriculture is an evolving technical field that uses new scientific methodologies, procedures, and techniques the correct employment of which are essential for having and maintaining healthy trees and landscapes. Unlike a general landscape professional, an arborist has the education and the experience to provide complete care and maintenance for your hard woody plants and trees. Proper tree care and landscaping from a professional arborist is smart property management because a flourishing landscape increases property value. Hiring an arborist is a critical decision for a business professional to make because the work can be dangerous and pose liabilities for property owners. Furthermore, an independent consulting arborist works for you and therefore has your best interest in mind and, of course, what's best for your trees, rather than offering a service or product commonly associated with "tree service" or "landscape service" companies. Also, an independent arborist can serve as the liaison between landowners, contractors, and insurance companies. 
 

Introducing the award-winning services of Sutton Consulting Arborist.

John Sutton, Consulting Arborist has been in Florida's fabled Palm Beach County since 1988. Incorporated in 1999, John's arboricultural expertise has helped many clients achieve and maintain acres of flourishing flora and trees. We are especially proud of our Aboriculture accomplishment for Trump International Golf Club, The Boca Resort and Club and The Breakers of the Palm Beaches. As the owner and operator of Sutton Consulting Arborist, Inc., John Sutton has over 20 years experience as an arborist and that experience has been earned while working in different environments, from North Carolina to California. Certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification #SO-0326. Certified Landscape Inspector thru the Landscape Inspectors Association of Florida. John has won numerous awards (see awards page). He is an invaluable member of your landscaping project, from golf course construction, industrial park development, to college campuses. In addition, John works with many historical and champion trees such as The Champion Green Buttonwood tree located in Palm Beach, Fl. which is the oldest and largest of its kind in the United States. 

John's Resume ( About John )

John Sutton has always been interested in trees. As a boy growing up in West Monroe, Louisiana, he helped his father in their family-owned sawmill. It was there that he began to learn about trees, everything from forest survey, logging, to cutting timber for finished products. After serving in the US Air Force, he returned to the tree business in Birmingham, Alabama where he worked as a tree surgeon after being promoted from ground crew to climber in less than 60 days on the job. In 1986, John was certified as an arborist by the State of Louisiana Forestry, in 1992, ISA Certified Arborist and 2002, LIAF, Certified Landscape Inspector. Over time, he's added to his practical education with much formal education: University of Florida, Tropical Palms and Cycads Short Course (Fall, 1997); Broward County Tree and Landscape Ordinance Seminar (Spring 2000); Florida Trees 2000, Appraisals, Native Habitats, Current Utility Aboriculture, Florida Trees 2001,Tree of Florida 2004 and a member of The American Society of Consulting Arborist to name just a few. 

In 1988, John moved to southern Florida and worked as foreman with a local tree service before "branching" into his own business, Sutton Consulting Arborist.   
 

Professional Affiliations

Member - Florida Landscape Inspectors Association, LIAF

Past President - Palm Beach Chapter of the Florida Arborist Association 

Member - International Society of Arboriculture, ISA 

Member - Society of Commercial Arboriculture, SCA 

Member - American Society of Consulting Arborist (since 7/2004)
 

Professional Awards

Certificate of Merit from National Arbor Day Foundation 

Community and Civic Affiliations 

National Arbor Day Foundation 

Boca Beautification Committee, Boca Raton, Florida. 
 

Partial Client List

Trump International Golf Club 

IDI-Georgia 

Breakers of The Palm Beaches 

Boca Resort and Club 

Garden Oakes HOA 

Presidential Place 

PGA National Golf Club 

Pine Tree Country Club 

Sea Ranch Club of Boca 

Breakers West 
 
 

Projects Completed ( Work History )

PGA National Golf Club

The PGA National Golf Club, located in beautiful Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, has five 18-hole golf courses. In 1999, Hurricane Irene damaged all five courses. Sutton Consulting Arborist was hired to appraise the storm damage. After an extensive appraisal, we wrote the contract, costing out time and material and costs for damage repair to the courses, relocation contract with 

specifications also contracts for removal of the all exotic trees. The club then used our contract to sublet the damage removal and restoration effort. 

April 2002, PGA started the rebuild of the Champion course. We have written the specifications for the relocation of select trees and palms, the specifications for removal of exotic trees and we are advising PGA on issues involving the preservation of trees and native areas during the renovations. We have been consulting on this project since early 2001. 
 

Trump International Golf Club

The Trump International Golf Club in fabulous West Palm Beach features the best of a south Florida landscape. Almost a thousand stately live oaks, gathered from around the state, some 50 feet high, along with several hundred Royal Palms, coupled with a host of woody plants create a majestic maturity and established sub-tropical landscape. Hundreds of thousands of square feet of sod make the course feel like a plush walk in a park. The magnitude of this project called upon our expertise and cooperative style in concert with other contractors to build what is a south Florida showcase of arboricultural landscaping. Specifically, Sutton Consulting Arborist performed health and condition inspections on the many different species of trees and plants; wrote specifications for the relocation of over a thousand trees to the temporary holding nursery, transporting, planting and maintenance of these trees; consulted tree/plant selection and location. 
 

Boca Resort and Club

The Boca Resort and Club, a 356-acre estate, located in luxurious Boca Raton, Florida abounds with lovely, healthy tropical flora and exotic trees. A five star resort with a wealth of elegance and style graced by formal grounds, Boca Resort and Club is an unforgettable experience for all its guests. Sutton Consulting Arborist has worked with the Resort for over 10 years and is responsible for an inventory evaluating the health and condition of all landscape trees and palms after improvements. In an on-going effort, Sutton Consulting Arborist manages all of the necessary tree maintenance that is contracted out. 
 

Industrial Developments International (IDI)

Managed the landscape and irrigation installation for IDI's Weston Business Center in Weston, Florida, which consisted of six large buildings. In an on-going effort, Sutton Consulting Arborist manages the irrigation and landscaping installation for sixteen buildings under construction as part of the massive Pompano Business Center in Pompano Beach, Florida, having to date successfully completed seven buildings. We are also providing these services at the new properties, Miramar Business Park in Miramar, Fl. two of four buildings complete and Marina West in Sunrise, Fl. two buildings complete. We are serving as the liaison for both the corporation and the environment by solving a challenging wetland issue. Our experience allowed us to point out Retention Areas were better suited for native wetland plants instead of contractor provided grasses; the result is a natural wetland landscape more pleasing to the eye that attracts native water fowl and requires minimal maintenance. 

We have written the specifications for maintenance and provide monthly inspections of the landscape and irrigation including both developed and undeveloped IDI properties in south Florida. We work with their chosen maintenance contractors to keep the properties in the best possible condition. 
 

Breakers of The Palm Beaches, (East and West)

Is a five star resort with a wealth of elegance and style graced by formal grounds, located in prestigious Palm Beach, Florida. Sutton Consulting Arborist was responsible for an inventory evaluating the health and condition of all landscape trees and palms after improvements. In an on-going effort, Sutton Consulting Arborist manages all of the necessary tree maintenance that is contracted out. 

June of 2002 the Breakers redesigned and relandscaped the main road and entrance to the resort. We have written the specifications for the relocation of two historical palms located near the main reception area. We have conducted inventories with health and condition reports in an effort to save all viable, relocatable trees, palms and other landscape plants. We wrote relocation specifications for numerous trees and palms. We provided management and supervision of this work